Chapter 11 Dave
CHAPTER ELEVEN
DAVE
“Did you slide the DJ some cash to play this song?” Char teases.
Damn. Should’ve thought of that an hour ago.
“No.” I chuckle. “But once I heard it start playing, I may or may not have sprinted over here to prevent numbnuts from getting here first.” We simultaneously turn to look at Brecken, who’s dancing with Janet.
He has his fingers dug firmly into each of her ass cheeks, grinding against her like she’s a dog in heat.
She’s staring all goo-goo eyed at him, while his eyes are fixated on her tits.
“Real smooth.”
“Guess Shotgun Sam is on his own tonight.” She giggles.
“Doubt that. That guy always seems to know how to score.” Once the words are out of my mouth, I instantly regret them. I would never want her to feel that I was crass, referring to her in the same vein.
Whatever my thoughts were about being open to one night of fun with a flirty out of towner have changed.
It’s unsettling, feeling this way. I can’t explain it.
Not only because I barely know this girl.
I never feel this way about anyone. But as attracted to her as I am, this pull to her seems beyond any wedding reception hookup.
Yet there’s no reason to think she feels the same.
Face it, Dave. She’s a pretty, charismatic girl visiting from states away. She’s safe. There’s no chance she’s looking for long term, any more than you are. Cool your jets. That’s all this is.
Deciding to enjoy whatever the night brings, for as long as it lasts, I can’t help but press my hand a little tighter into her lower back.
Holding this beautiful firecracker in my arms is intoxicating.
I don’t even consider how desperate I’m coming off when I lean down and bury my face in her hair, swaying back and forth as Michael Bublé belts out the lyrics.
It isn’t a slow song. The chorus practically demands that I whirl her around on the dancefloor.
But I can’t help myself. The desire to be close to her is making me come unglued.
As the tune comes to an end, I cautiously reach for her hand. Lowering my volume so only she can hear me, “Walk with me?”
She glances up, her flushed skin is rosy under the moonlight. Hell. It’s way too easy to get lost in the way she’s looking at me, those long dark lashes blinking against her shimmering pools of green. “Yes. I’d like that.”
I lead her toward a large tree in the distance, hoping to steal her away for a few uninterrupted moments. The feel of her soft hand in mine is so natural.
Fuck, what is happening to me?
Once there, Char leans her back against the old oak and peers up at me. The sight of her vivacious smile has me floating on cloud nine. My heart is banging against my sternum a million miles a minute. It’s official. I’ve turned into a sixteen-year-old girl.
I trail my fingertips over the soft skin of her cheek as I drown in her magnificent eyes. “Is this okay?”
She lets out a little gasp, and I nearly retreat a step. “More than okay,” she stammers, gripping her fingers firmly into my hips. “Thank you for asking.” The gold flecks in her irises are much more prominent under a star-filled sky than the bright Edison bulbs over the tables and dancefloor.
“God, you’re beautiful,” I exhale.
She beams up at me. Our faces are so close.
I’m dying to kiss her. Normally, I wouldn’t hesitate.
Just accept my lumps if the girl pulled away, not interested.
Yet somehow this moment feels much bigger.
And admittedly it is. I’d be more than a little crushed if she rejected my advances.
Not because my pride would be hurt. The very idea this connection with her might be one-sided feels unfeasible.
But, hell. If anything was going to have me boarding the no-relationship train where I belong, it would be that crushing blow.
As if she can sense my hesitation, Char leans forward and drapes her arms around my neck. Her warm gaze feels like a soft caress. Her body moves closer to mine, her soft curves molding into the contours of my solid planes as if we’ve done this dance before.
I wrap my large hands around her slim waist. “Come here,” I breathe, pulling her into me before crushing my mouth over hers.
And, fuck, I’m a goner.
Intoxicated by the taste of her, I angle my face to deepen the kiss.
A cacophony of softness, warm bourbon, and sweet cherries dances on my tongue.
Everything about this feels predestined.
As if all of the shitty moments in my life have led me here.
Kissing this phenomenal creature under the starlight.
There’s no sense fighting it. I want this woman. More than I’ve ever wanted anyone. Does she feel it too? The undeniable chemistry? The very air around us seems electrified, as if a summer storm is charged overhead.
I could invite her back to my place, but there’s no hiding my financial status once she sees my tricked-out mountain lodge, as Trevor calls it. And whether we have an insane spark radiating between us or not, one look at my abode and the usual questions tend to follow.
Wow. This is your house? How on earth do you have a place like this on a firefighter’s salary? Did you win the lottery or something? Oh, do you have any cool vacation homes we can go to? I’ve always wanted to go to Boca or Laguna Beach.
I’ve made that mistake enough times. Bringing home some shallow harpies with dollar signs in their eyes. Nope. Not going there again. Even if I have the distinct feeling this mysterious beauty is different.
As if she’s read my mind, she peers up at me. “Do you want to come back to my room?”